Sextant (noun)

An instrument used in navigation to determine latitude and longitude by measuring the angle of the sun or stars relative to the horizon.

Origin:

The word 'sextant' originated from the latin word 'sextans' meaning 'a sixth' and is so named because it measures an angle of one sixth of a circle.

Examples:

1. The sailor used a sextant to navigate the seas and determine his location.
2. The sextant was an essential tool for explorers and navigators in the Age of Discovery.
3. The astronomer used a sextant to measure the angle between two celestial objects.
4. The maritime museum displayed several antique sextants and other navigational instruments.
5. The sailor demonstrated how to use a sextant to determine the position of a ship at sea.